PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 2182, 11 July 1890, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Tuesday. The Oaths Hill w.is further considered in cuinmittoc of the Council, and the following substituted for clause 2:— "Every person required to give evidence iv any court of law shall be entitled as of right to make a solemn affirmation in lieu of taking an oath, and upon such person demanding to mako such fiflirmation the same shall bo tendered to him without argument, or without any question bciug asked.' The bill was repoited with amendments, and the third reading fixed for next day.

Tho ludustrial Schools Act Amendment Bill was read a second time.

Iv the House Mr Monk gave notice to nmvn, in Committee of Supply, that tho iirac item on tho Estimates be reduced by £i, as an indication that tho Governuiuut reduce the Estimates by £50,000.

Mr Smith gave notice to move as au addition that such reduction ahould not apply to tho Post and Tolt^raph department up to any salaries of c flicers below i'2oo.

Mr Guinness asked Government whether it was correct, as reported iv that morning's paper, that the Government had promised a

m ction of tin llousothat they would reduco their Estimates by £50,000.

The Hon. E. Mitchelson asked tho hon. gentleman to t;ive notico of his question.

Mr Guinness refused to do this, and aaid there was in msion why tho Government shonld not give a straightforward reply at oucc. He thought the financial debate should not h^ proceeded with until the House kuew whether the Government intended to make this reduction or not.

Sir George Grey thought that the Houao should adjourn until the question had been replied to, and moved to that effect. It should be left to a new Parliament to make the proposed reductions.

After a number of other members had spoken to a similar effect Mr Fisher rose to ask how Joug that solemn farce was to last. He had no objection to those eleven gentlemen making themselves ridiculous, but he did object to the Parliament of New Zealand being made ridiculous. Whatever proposals wers to be made should be made openly, and not in the Premier's office.

After Sir John Hall had disclaimed any connection with the matter, the motion for tbc adjournment was put and lost.

The Financial debate wag then resumed by Mr Sauudors, who expressed deep regret at tho absence of the Premier, and said that although he had more often worked against him than with him, yet hb had never for a moment doubted Sir H. A. Atkinson's sincerity or patriotism. Still, ho did not think it right he should continue to hold oilioc when too unwell to appear in the House, His opinion was that a reconstruction should have taken place. Mr Sauudera then went on to speak at some length on federation and other subjects until interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. Continuing in the evening in the same discursive manner ho wound up by saying that party feeling should be set aside and the bost men from both sides of the House selected to form a really able Government:

Mr Moss strove to correct a misrepresentation as to the cost of a second session — he believed it would not bo more than £13,000.

The lion, Capt. Ilu3sell defended the Premier and the Ministry, and traversed the criticisms of them and their policy which had emanated from the Opposition benches. After Mr Taylor had aired his eloquence, Dr Fitchett moved the adjournment of tho debate, and the House rose at 11.30 p.m.

Notice was given by Mr Kerr to ask the Minister of Education (1) If he had read in the public prints the following :—

It waa known to every second man ono met in the streets in Auckland that two members of the Government of this colonywere largely in debt to the Bauk of New Zealand, and it was equally a fact, sir, that when the circumstances surrounding the indebtedness of one at least of these gentlemen became known to the board of directors, of which I was a member, I was compelled to intimate that I could not remain on the board unless ho resigned, and resign he did. The Hon. Mr Hislop dow denies the indebtedness of the two gentlemen, consequently either (1) they paid their debts, or (2) they have been paid for them, or (3) they have been wiped out by aome other process. If either the first or second plan has been adopted it should be good news to the shareholders. If the third, possibly the gentlemen referred to will enlighten others similarly situated how the " wiping out " process was accomplished. For my own part I cannot believe the bank claims have been paid. The news is too good to be true.

And which said paragraph appeared in Mr George Buckley's letter about the Bank of New Zealand affairs, and was published by the • New Zealand Times ' on the 7th July, 1890. (2) If the answer be in the affirmative, does the Hon. Mr Hislop still adhere to the statement made by him to the House, that there was no foundation whatever for the statement that two members of the Government owed the Bank of New Zealand £60,000.

VVednbsday, Mr Seddon asked whether the Government would reply to the question put on Tuesday as to the arrangement alleged to have been made for reducing the Estimates by £50,000, and waa told by the Hon. E. Mitchelaon that he did not think the Government were justified in stating to the House any negotiations betweon them and the members of their own party;

Mr Seddou gave notice to move in Committee ot Supply—" That the first item o£ the Estimates bo reduced by pounds," as an indication to the Government that supplies should not be granted beyond the cud of September.

The Financial debate was resumed by Dr Fifcchetfc, who said that tho subject of tho Statement had been threshed out and ho would not allude to it, but he thought the Government should go to tho country.

Mr Goldie followed and complainod of tho neglect of tho Government with regard to tho promised classification of tho Civil Service. He also said that they were going back to the old system of extravagance, and pointed out various things in which savings could bo effected. He had no faith in either side, and hoped there would bo a Bpeody dissolution.

Mr G. Fisher said the primary object of the Opposition was to show to the people that the Government was utterly helpless, and that the present Parliament was not in touch with the people of the colony. He spoke at considerable length, and was followed by Mr M'Kenzie (VVaihemo) and Mr Withy, who filled up the time until the House adjourned at 11.50 p.m.